Friends rally around 29-year-old paraplegic whose van was stolen

Supporters of a 29-year-old paraplegic in Washington D.C. have started a GoFundMe page for their friend after his handicap-accessible van was stolen from in front of his home.

Fox 5 DC reported that Rafael Scott suffered a traumatic brain injury about 12 years ago in a motor vehicle accident mere days after receiving his first car. Today, he depends on a wheelchair and his van to travel.

The news station described the man’s smile as “contagious,” and noted he lives with his mother, Gail Scott, who helps him with everyday tasks.

It’s Rafael’s dream to go to Lincoln Technical Institute, where he’d been visiting friends at the time of his car accident, but without the van, his mom fears that dream likely won’t become a reality.

The family has reportedly filed a police report and is waiting for a call back from their insurance adjuster. The blue-purple van is a 1998 Dodge Caravan, and the Scotts asked anyone with information regarding the theft contact the Metro Police Deprartment.